Check out the gallery to see what has been happening at Airplay
A picture tells a 1000 words!
Next time you are doing something awesome at Airplay, ask a youth worker to take a snap. Say ‘Cheese’!
Airplay is delivered across the UK at 24 RAF Stations. But even if you are not at one of those Station you can join in with our regular virtual and national events.
Through Airplay Connect you will find virtual sessions around loads of different themes, from gaming to baking, courses, arts, fitness and everything in between. You might want to join our virtual youth forum or take part in a group discussion around a particular theme. Let us know your ideas through the contact page
We also run annual residentials and events for Airplay members to take a break away from home and meet other young people from across the project.
The Airplay Central Team are all experienced and qualified youth workers. We are 100% committed to making Airplay the best it can be!
Lauren Baxendale
Airplay Programme Coordinator
I joined Airplay in 2012.
Having studied textile design at university, my youth work career was kickstarted by working with young people in youth clubs, schools and colleges on local arts and crafts initiatives. I enjoyed it so much that youth work soon became my full-time job.
I am passionate about getting to know young people and helping them to explore their aspirations. In my spare time, I enjoy keeping active by walking, cycling, and playing badminton. I also love coffee and cake with friends.
When I was based at Airplay Shawbury, I loved taking young people on water sports activity days. The summer of 2015 was particularly memorable as we were blessed with the most amazing weather.
Ryan Anscombe
Airplay Programme Coordinator
I joined Airplay in March 2024.
Before joining Airplay, I spent 9 months running my own coffee business. As a qualified youth worker, the years prior to that were filled with a diverse array of experiences working with children and young people in a number of settings such mainstream schools, pupil referral units, churches, summer camps, youth centres and, most recently, at YMCA Bournemouth.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family (especially my little boy!) and friends, drumming, reading, writing, and indulging in other creative and generally geeky hobbies.
Since joining Airplay I’ve been impressed by the strong sense of community and belonging. This has been my favourite aspect of the role thus far and am excited for this opportunity to contribute to that moving forward!
Laura Keane
Airplay Administrator
I joined OneYMCA over two years ago, as a Safeguarding Administrator and also providing administrative support to Family Services. More recently in March 2024 I joined the Airplay Team, helping to provide admin support for them.
My background is in retail, having spent over 15 years working in a retail head office for a jewellery company. Hopefully lots of the skills I learnt there I can bring to my role with Airplay.
I enjoy going for walks, baking, reading and spending time with my family and friends. I also like going to the gym and swimming when I get a chance, but my 3 young children keep me very busy!
My favourite thing about Airplay so far are the people, everyone I have spoken to has been so friendly, it has been such a great team to join and be part of!
Heidi Bentley
Airplay Programme Manager
I joined Airplay at the start of 2024!
I’ve been involved with youth and community work for over fifteen years, working for various charities including Sutton Coldfield YMCA and, most recently, working on the NCS programme. I had a short stint as a humanitarian worker in the Democratic Republic of Congo and now support youth development work there too, in my spare time.
I like to surf, hike and go off-road motorbiking. I’m an adventurer at heart but I also love being at home, spending time with family and taking on DIY projects around the house.
I was recently invited the RAF Benevolent Fund Awards evening and it was so good to be in a room celebrating such amazing people, teams and their achievements, including quite a few awards for Airplay. I’m so happy to be part of the team of such an inspirational, impactful programme.
Tom Cavalot
Head of Youth Work
I joined Airplay way back in 2010
I spent a summer in the USA working in a Summer Camp when I was 20 after finishing my degree and that helped me realise that working with young people was what I really wanted to do as a career. Since then I’ve worked for over 20 years across all sorts of roles supporting young people to belong, contribute and thrive and I’ve been lucky enough to do that for 12 years with Airplay!
I love football, gaming, movies and biking. I have two kids who also keep me pretty busy.
So many! One of my favourite ones was taking a group of Airplay young people camping in the Deployed Operational Training Area at Cosford. Learning about life for serving personnel, when they are on operations, alongside a group of service children was a really insightful and eye opening experience that I wont forget in a hurry.
We want Airplay to be a project that is shaped by you!
The Airplay Annual Youth Forum brings together young people from across Airplay to discuss what matters to them. This is also where they can help to steer the Airplay project by taking their ideas and thoughts directly to the RAF Benevolent Fund, YMCA and RAF. Over the years this has brought about real change, Airplay Connect and the annual residential were brought about as a direct result of this group. Check out one of our Youth Forum’s here
Our Special Projects Fund is a pot of extra money that young people can bid for to run projects at their clubs around things that matter to them. Each year members vote on the themes they want the money to be used for. 2022 has been all about the environment, health and well being and improving our area. Already this year the youth forums have allocated over £7000 to 13 Special Projects at 13 Airplay sites!
Check out the gallery to see what has been happening at Airplay
A picture tells a 1000 words!
Next time you are doing something awesome at Airplay, ask a youth worker to take a snap. Say ‘Cheese’!